Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244

Join
Home News and campaigns News 2018

Charity sadness over d...

Charity sadness over death of another British boxer Main Image

Charity sadness over death of another British boxer

Mon 26 Feb 2018

Headway – the brain injury association has expressed its sadness over the death of Scott Westgarth who died following a light-heavyweight fight in Doncaster on Saturday.

The charity has also reiterated its call for boxing to be banned after this latest tragedy to hit the sport.

On Tuesday, February 27, Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, was interviewed on Channel 5 programme, The Wright Stuff.

He reiterated Headway's call for boxing to be banned, and explained the devastating cumulative effect of repeated blows to the head.

In the past few years, Scottish welterweight Mike Towell and amateur boxer Kuba Moczyk lost their lives due to the blows they received in the ring, Nick Blackwell was left in a coma following a fight with Chris Eubank Jr, and Eduard Gutknecht sustained a devastating brain injury after fighting George Groves – leaving the German unable to walk or talk.

Inquests are also pending into the deaths of 17-year-old amateur boxer Eddie Bilbey and 14-year-old kickboxer Scott Marsden.

Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, said: “It is heartbreaking to hear of yet another tragic loss of life as a result of boxing. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Scott’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“When Nick Blackwell was in a coma battling for his life, we said then that more lives will be needlessly lost or damaged unless something is done, but here we are again talking about another tragedy, another family mourning.

“Quite rightly, the focus at this time should be on supporting Scott’s loved ones. But the question remains: how many more lives have to be damaged or lost before this senseless sport is banned?”

Back

Share this page

Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893.

© Copyright Headway 2025  -  Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker